Open Letter to Irish FarmersAn Animal Rights Article from All-Creatures.org

FROM

Several weeks ago I circulated as many Irish 'poultry'
farmers as I could find addresses for with the following Open Letter to
Irish Farmers, asking them to spare the life of even one bird. So far not a
single life has been spared. Apart from one nasty phone call from someone
attempting to defend exploitation for profit, the letter has been ignored.

We need a new paradigm where other animals and the eggs, milk, skin and
fur that are part of them, are no longer viewed as food, or of any use to
us. Every one of us is responsible for creating this paradigm. There can be
no justice without veganism.

Dear Friend of Eden,

Several weeks ago I circulated as many Irish 'poultry' farmers as I could
find addresses for with the following Open Letter to Irish Farmers, asking
them to spare the life of even one bird. So far not a single life has been
spared. Apart from one nasty phone call from someone attempting to defend
exploitation for profit, the letter has been ignored. Attempts to get it
published in a National Newspaper, where it would be seen by Irish farmers
and backyard 'poultry' keepers were also ignored, although there is no
shortage of conversation about 'turkey' in the media..

It may be too late to rescue those who were bred for Christmas; most
birds are already dead. I have seen their dead bodies in the freezer
sections of supermarkets, wrapped in plastic with no evidence of the
individual, who was different to every other turkey in the world, and who
was aware of his or her life and the suffering he or she experienced at
death. These bodies are not just lifeless because they have been killed; the
evidence that just a short while ago they were living, sentient beings is
obliterated, fostering a disconnect that is little short of terrifying.
Tonight RTE television will broadcast Ella McSweeney as she kills a
magnificent, sentient turkey 'with her bare hands' (Irish Times,
(14/12/2013) on Ear to the Ground.

We need a new paradigm where other animals and the eggs, milk, skin and
fur that are part of them, are no longer viewed as food, or of any use to
us. Every one of us is responsible for creating this paradigm. There can be
no justice without veganism.

Turkeys are not only bred for the Christmas market. They are bred at
hatcheries and sold all year round, just like all the other animals we
torture for our food. We have place at Eden for turkeys and geese. If you
know someone who is making a living from their deaths please show them this
letter and at least remind them that the lives they 'harvest' are valuable
to the individuals who live them.

If we can save one life we can make a difference. Anyone who knew Maeve,
Morgana and Marian, and who watched their work as ambassadors for their
species in the film You Haven't Lived Until You've Hugged a Turkey, will
know how important the individual lives are.

Please remember that while a sanctuary can do a lot to help individuals,
your vegan lifestyle can save more individuals in a single year than Eden
can manage to care for. If you are not vegan please consider going vegan and
ask us for help if you need it.

Lives worth living...

Dear Sir/Madam,

The vast majority of us do not wish to harm non-human animals. We
understand that like us they feel pain, and like us they want to live. For
that reason, very few of us would kill the family dog or cat for food.
Unfortunately, animals who are used for food cannot be bred and killed
without suffering. I am writing to appeal to you to spare someone that
suffering.

I run a sanctuary for farmed animals. Over the last few years one of the
things that has brought me the most joy is getting to know birds such as
turkeys, geese and chickens. Their natural affection towards humans has been
both a surprise and a delight to me. I have read the scientific literature
on their capacity for feeling and awareness, and learned that like us, they
remember the past, anticipate the future, and are highly conscious and aware
of their environments. They are aware of the feel of grass beneath their
feet, a breath of fresh air, and the warmth of the sun on their backs. They
have an enormous capacity for pleasure and enjoyment in life. I have
witnessed the very deep bond of friendship they form with each other, and
with humans. Like every one of us they want to avoid pain and they do not
want to die. In all the ways that matter, they feel just as we do.

I appeal to you this year to spare the life of a turkey in your care.

The difference that life on a sanctuary can make to the life of an
individual bird is almost beyond measure. At our sanctuary the turkeys, who
would be dead but for the change of heart of some farmers, have had years of
freedom and fun. I was not aware that they love dust baths, that they can
swim, or that in their natural state they can run at 25 miles per hour, and
fly short distances at 55 miles per hour. They have over 30 different
vocalisations and intelligent capacities similar to primates. Given the
chance they forage over hundreds of acres and roost in trees at night.

Each bird in your care is an individual with a life worth living. If you
can find it in your heart to spare his or her life we promise them a good
life, the chance to live outdoors, to communicate and form friendships with
other turkeys, a safe, clean house to roost in at night, veterinary care if
they become ill. I assure you that we do not profit in any way from our
work, unless you count the joy and deeply meaningful work of taking them
into our lives. We do this because we know that they have a right to this
life. We do this because they matter. We ask you to give them this chance
that will cost you so little and mean so much to them.

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